Stellies awaits Bishops, Wynberg and Durbies have their own underdog battles
Stellenberg will be aiming to bag their third successive victory over Diocesan College since 2024 when these two teams take the field this Saturday at 12:40 in Bellville.
Last year, the Jade Brigade won handsomely by 38-13 on Piley Rees in Cape Town.
In 2024, they won by 25-14 and will take the pitch as favourites once again on Saturday.
Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.co.za).
Stellies most recently defeated another southern suburbs outfit when they beat Rondebosch Boys’ High by 33-26 in a thrilling encounter. Bishops themselves lost 3-68 to a fierce Paul Roos Gimnasium outfit.
Bishops’ outside centre, Eljaron Geduld, is their sole representative in the Western Province u18 Craven Week side, and will be a key playmaker in the Diocesan effort.
Jade Brigade lock Juvan Burden has also made the WP squad, and will do his best to win possession in the set-pieces for their own playmakers to work with.
Those playmakers consist of flyhalf Ethan van Biljon, centre JC Swart and fullback Liam Jacobs, who are also in the squad for the Craven Week in Gqeberha.
It’s been a tough two weeks for Hoërskool Durbanville. They lost 36-37 in a King Price Derby Series clash against Diocesan College, and were beaten 19-55 against Rondebosch Boys’ High last weekend.
Durbies will be aiming to change their recent fortunes in a home battle against Hoërskool Melkbosstrand at 13:45 on Saturday.
Flyhalf, Hadley Erasmus, who’s playing at fullback this week, was a standout in that Bosch defeat, scoring a brace of tries in an enthusiastic performance. He’s a dangerous running threat that can also get the ball down the line quickly if he feels there’s more space out wide.
Cole Carls on the left wing is well aware of that, as he’s done a lot of finishing in the corner this season.
Of course, Melkies aren’t without their own strengths. Lock Kevin Wessels tallied two tries in his side’s 66-8 triumph versus Monument Park last Saturday.
Loose forwards Beuran Geduld and Ethan Loncq also got themselves on the scoresheet in a match where their defensive contributions were even more vital than the points they produced.
In short, the visitors are going to have their hands full against a hungry Durbies outfit. They’ll need to trust in themselves and not lose their faith in the tough moments if they want to cause an upset this weekend.
Hoërskool Bellville made it five wins in six games with a 36-17 victory at Hoërskool Tygerberg last weekend.
However, the hosting Wynberg Boys’ High are going to provide a tougher challenge than their other opponents in recent times, with kickoff commencing at 12:30 on Saturday.
Hawthornden Field saw a tough 14-66 loss to a phenomenal Paarl Gimnasium last Saturday, in a scoreline that the hosts will want to reverse in their favour on this upcoming occasion.
Hooker, Ridah Johnson, has been one of the most prolific try-scorers in perhaps the entire country this season. He knows his way to the try line from the back of the rolling maul, which has been one of Berg’s biggest strengths this season.
The Kwaggas are not simply going to roll over for their opposition. Scrumhalf, Juvan Rousseau, has been in good form as of late. If he’s able to get teammates like outside centre, Caylem du Plessis, front-foot ball with quick distribution, then one may see holes begin to open up in the Berg defence.
Locks, Jano Koegelenberg and Corné Smit, will be the keys to unlocking the Wynberg maul. Their performances could make a big difference in a bout which, on the surface, may appear to be an expected win for Wynberg.
The teams:
Stellenberg vs Diocesan College at 12:40 in Bellville:
Stellenberg (likely): 15 Liam Joubert, 14 Ralton Rhode, 13 JC Swart, 12 Daniel Mongie, 11 Emile Cilliers, 10 Ethan van Biljon, 9 Daniel Steffan, 8 Yanos Molnar (captain), 7 Carlo Brink, 6 Seth Coetzee, 5 Juvan Burden, 4 Jayden Young, 3 Janu van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, 1 Tiaan Vermeulen.
Diocesan College: 15 Miyolo Ngculu, 14 James Malan, 13 Eljaron Geduld, 12 Boytjies Fyfer (captain), 11 Elihle Tsobo, 10 Caleb Clark, 9 Jack Fleck, 8 Jack Venter, 7 Jono Horton, 6 Ethan Venter, 5 Christopher Reid, 4 Blake Gallie, 3 Jarred Kowen, 2 Connor Clark, 1 Luca Wolfe-Coote.
Hoërskool Durbanville vs Melkbosstrand at 13:45 in Durbanville:
Hoërskool Durbanville: 15 Hadley Erasmus, 14 Raydon Williams, 13 Farrel-Leigh Dido, 12 Louwrens Rademeyer, 11 Cole Carls, 10 De Wet Viljoen, 9 Lorenzo Brogneri, 8 Muller Janse van Vuuren (captain), 7 Jono Hearn, 6 Jean de Vries, 5 Eben de Jongh, 4 Jano Stone, 3 Hanno Rhode, 2 Tristen Muller, 1 Hannes Vermeulen.
Hoërskool Melkbosstrand: 15 Calvin Farelo, 14 Enrique Kastoor, 13 Craig Solomons, 12 Arno Visser, 11 Reese Jooste, 10 Alzano Vigeland, 9 Cole Japhta, 8 Ethan Loncq, 7 Beuran Geduld, 6 Leslie Smyth, 5 Kevin Wessels, 4 O’Ryan Crouse, 3 Jorden Lewis, 2 Darius Prinsloo, 1 Joshua Cloete.
Wynberg Boys’ High vs Hoërskool Bellville at 12:30 at Hawthornden in Cape Town:
Wynberg Boys’ High: 15 Matthew Anthony, 14 Zachary de Kock, 13 Ithandile Nkhola, 12 Luke Gertze, 11 Chad Campbell, 10 Achmat Behardien, 9 Rauf Ahmed, 8 Eli van der Merwe, 7 Naeem Mohammed, 6 Alvin Machinja, 5 Jack de Beer, 4 James Orwin, 3 Solam Gegana, 2 Ridah Johnson, 1 James Welsh.
Hoërskool Bellville: 15 Devanté Vlotman, 14 Marlon Claasen, 13 Caylem du Plessis, 12 Xandru Büter, 11 Liam Kuyk, 10 Marno Botes, 9 Juvan Rousseau, 8 Cade Mong, 7 Liam Genis, 6 Zandro Stramrood, 5 Corné Smit, 4 Jano Koegelenberg, 3 Zander van Wyk, 2 Caiden Coetzer, 1 Alex Cronjé.
